Journey of a single particle

This topic submitted by Sarah Hayes ( hayessl@muohio.edu ) on 1/23/03. [ Rivers Team: Sarah Hayes-Section: Blaisdell/Wolfe]

My idea, inspired by Primo LevyÕs article about carbon, is to personify and follow a particle of H2O on its calm and/or perilous journey downstream. Although this idea may sound a bit flaky, is simply a way to present scientific findings in a creative, albeit unoriginal, format. Because we have yet to discuss the Four Mile Creek, IÕm not sure what issues would be most interesting about, pertinent to or even applicable to it. The particle could travel from a tributary and be joined along the way by other friendly or mean (pollutant) particles as it passes specific farms or factories. Specific locations of its travel would be researched, as would the specific effects of pollutants from industry or agriculture. A few tests of "water quality" could even be incorporated into this journey. At one point it could drift by an old woman sitting on the bank wrapped in a blanket or other such warm garb. This old womanÕs perspective of the stream (its changing importance in her life) could be placed in the story. To have actual information, one could interview such a woman along the banks. So, as you see, the journey of a water particle could incorporate many different fields of study. The main idea or moral would be about the effects of pollution on a river. This idea may be too broad as of yet.

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